Wednesday Rockpile: Todd Helton Joins 2000 Hit Club, Iannetta Remains Errorless

by Jeff Aberle on May 20, 2009 6:15 AM MDT in Rockpile Comment 11 comments

The major news from yesterday was Todd Helton joining the 2000 hit club in the Rockies' 8-1 loss to the Braves with a single to left field off of Jair Jurrjens in the third inning. As was noted by Jack Etkin, the longest-tenured Rockie became the fourth active player in the big leagues to record 2000 or more hits for the same team and 255th overall in league history to reach the mark.

The Rockies threw Helton quite a party after the game. Tracy Ringolsby writes that Helton was touched by his teammates' gift to him--an engraved single-shot rifle to the avid hunter. Getting 2000 hits requires sustained excellence and dedication--qualities that Todd possesses in spades. Purple Row salutes you, Todd Helton!

Another Rockies milestone was achieved in last night's game: Chris Iannetta set the Rockies' error-free mark at 156 games and counting. Iannetta has hit .298 in May and is steadily improving his batting average. In the notes of that article, Renck gives us some injury updates:

An MRI revealed that reliever Matt Daley has a sprained left ankle, not a foot. . . . Taylor Buchholz threw 37 pitches in a bullpen session Monday. He is expected back around mid-June. . . . Franklin Morales (shoulder) will throw a simulated game today. . . . Greg Smith (shoulder) worked in the minors Tuesday and has a least two more starts before being considered for the roster.

Ringolsby has a more detailed update on Morales--the young southpaw is ready to begin rehab assignments and will be brought along with the idea of him returning to the Rockies' starting rotation. If the mercurial Morales shows that he can stay healthy and effective it will bode well for the Rockies' projected 2010 rotation.

The loss last night means that the Rockies are now 11.5 games back in the NL West behind the Dodgers, who have the best record in baseball at 28-13.

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Top 50 MLB players

Sporting News

is out with a poll of experts of Top 50 MLB Players…not a Rockie among them, which IMO is valid. Former Rockie Matt Holliday is #35.

by DeepPurple on May 20, 2009 7:06 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Pretty valid

Some of the players at the bottom of the list I wonder about, myself, but at that point you’d only be splitting hairs with the two or three Rockies that may deserve consideration (Jimenez and Iannetta mainly) so there wouldn’t be much point in arguing.

by Rox Girl on May 20, 2009 9:40 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Helton 2000

A few people have expressed some surprise that Helton took this long to get to 2000 hits. Of course, he draws a lot of walks, which naturally is going to reduce his number of at bats. Helton would probably have to hit .340 to equal the hits of a guy like Jimmy Rollins (top of the order, fewer walks) hitting .300.

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by kosmo on May 20, 2009 8:45 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup

It also helps to start early. Helton and Kendall are both in their “age 35” years (Todd is actually 10 months older), both recently recorded their 2000th hit.

Yet early in the game when Helton got his 1st major league hit, Kendall had already collected his 222nd.

by FooMan on May 20, 2009 9:41 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Purple Row Hall of Fame

Any thought/discussion ever had about creating a PR Hall of Fame? I’m sure we could come up with a more creative name, but it could have a plaque and career highlights.

Some guys would be a shoe in, others would draw quite a debate.

Just a random thought.

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on May 20, 2009 10:34 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Random thought here as well

What are some ideas about what this team might look like by the end of this year or heading into 2010? I know this is sad to already be looking forward to next year, but thats where I’m putting my hope.

CF- Dex
RF- CarGo
LF- Smith/Spilly
3B- Stew
SS- Tulo
2B- EYJ/Nelson (Gomez will not be quite ready, maybe mid year 2010)
1B- Helton
C- Iannetta

Bench Spots: McKenry, Smith/Spilly, Barmes, Murton/Colonel, Herrera

SP- Jimenez
SP- DLR
SP- Morales
SP- Chacin (hopefully ready by 2010)
SP- Francis (if healthy), Hirsh/Hynick

RP- Corpas, Weathers, Lindsay, Speier, Daley, Lefty (Cedeno/Bright), veteran long man

I know this features a lot of younger guys, but I really think we need to start this process.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on May 20, 2009 11:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Just curious as to what you're planning to do with

Hawpe, Atkins Marquis, Street. Trade (and if so to whom and for what?) or release/non tender (could happen with Atkins after end of ’09).

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton

by pedalpusher on May 20, 2009 1:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hawpe, Atkins, and Street

I think will be traded, that is if we are still as far back in the race as we are now. Hawpe and Street might bring something valuable at the trade deadline and Atkins maybe just for salary relief. I am thinking Cook may also be traded. As far as Marquis goes, I thought he only had 1 year left on his contract, maybe I’m off on that. I just assumed we would not re-sign him if so.

I think some of this is what I think we need to do, maybe more than what will actually happen. I also think some of these trades are less likely to happen if O’Dowd and Hurdle are still employed by the Rox. I just think we need to try a more athletic route, especially to help w/ OF defense. Don’t get me wrong it would be hard to see Hawpe and Cook go, I really like those 2 and would hate to lose them, but it might make the Rox a stronger team going forward. We really aren’t winning w/ those guys anyways.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on May 20, 2009 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really starting to get on board with trying to move Hawpe.

Because of the year he’s having combined with his age. I just hope we’re realistic with our requirements to move him. The FO usually has inflated opinions of the worth of our talent.

I’m pretty sure any window for trading Atkins is long past. If we can find someone for him, it will be a salary dump for the remainder of the year and then a release in the winter.

As for Street, I guess it makes so sense to try to find someone who would over spend for him. And you may well be correct about Marquis’ contract status.

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton

by pedalpusher on May 20, 2009 2:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a lot of the same thoughts

in the FanPost I just published, but mine is just for the next couple months.

by RandyDean on May 20, 2009 9:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read your fanpost and thoroughly enjoyed it

in fact its uncanny how many of those moves I agree w/ and would like to see many of the same things happen. I think I was looking slightly ahead of yours, but I like your thoughts for the rest of this year.

On a side note Gomez has 2 dingers already tonight. When I hear comparisons to Hanley Ramirez or Soriano I get pretty excited about a guy. Its too bad he’s so far away, w/out the injuries he would be real close.

It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

by smokinRox on May 20, 2009 10:50 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs